Better Than Xhaka: Arsenal Sign £14.4m Star Ahead Of Liverpool

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Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed a deal for Arsenal and Liverpool target Meyer – whose contract expires in the summer. Although yet to score this season, the twenty-year-old has become an integral part of a Schalke team currently sitting sixth in the Bundesliga, making 142 appearances since breaking into the first team as a teenager. Schalke CEO Christian Heidel last month declared of his young starlet:

“He is playing the best season of his life, and the coach has found a position for him that Max didn’t believe he could play.”

The Daily Star reports that the German international has become Wenger’s top summer target, with the club permitted to negotiate a free transfer with Meyer since the turn of the year. He has also been linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich. He operates primarily as an attacking midfielder or forward, Meyer would be an unquestionable bargain should Arsenal decide to extend their German contingent especially as he is valued at just £14.4m, but priorities undoubtedly lay elsewhere. With Ozil’s new contract, Wilshere’s renewal looking imminent and having added Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan to the roster, another attacker just does not appear to be an immediate priority for the Gunners. A physical presence in midfield seems more pressing and although Meyer can operate deeper, it would be optimistic to expect the 5’8” midfielder to be a significant upgrade on Xhaka, Ramsey or Wilshere in that area.

Schalke are believed to have offered a new contract but will be wary that their prized asset does not follow team mate Leon Goretzka’s agreed departure to Munich. Catalonia-based Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Barcelona pulled out of the race for Meyer, allowing Bayern to swoop. According to the Spanish publication, the Bavarians could continue their pattern of moving quickly and discreetly, with an agreement already reported to be in place.

Schalke are determined to keep the playmaker, withHeidel refusing to rule out Meyer staying with the club but acknowledged a decision may be imminent.

“Max will be deciding shortly if he wants to stay at Schalke past the summer. Max is very happy here, Schalke is his home, we will try to make it him as comfortable financially as possible.”

Rumours of Goretzka’s impending agreement spread months before the official announcement, in a startlingly similar fashion to MarioGotze’s transfer from rivals Dortmund and there seem plenty of similarities with this potential deal. Despite a clear desire from his club to keep him, it seems all signs are pointing to Meyer lining up in a Bayern uniform next year.